Flood Insurance

When floodwater from a severe, week-long
storm started pouring through the walls of Becky Bentley’s house, she knew she
had to get out fast. In the short time it took her and her son to run upstairs
to grab the family cat, the rapidly rising water trapped them on the second
floor of their home.

With the help of a neighbor, they manage to escape. But when
the water receded and Becky finally returned to her Atlanta property, she
discovered most of the contents and drywall were unsalvageable. She thought her
homeowners insurance would cover the losses; but found out most standard
homeowners policies do not cover flood damage.

“The water got so high, everything was just
destroyed,” Becky told the National Flood Insurance Program. “I
didn’t have flood insurance because I wasn’t in a flood plain, so we were told
we didn’t need it.”

Floods are the number one natural disaster in the United
States. While some regions, such as coastal areas, are more flood-prone than
others, the unpredictability of climate change exposes all property to some
risk. And torrential rainfall isn’t the only culprit. Flooding is also caused
by mudflows, rapid snowmelt during spring and ice jams during winter.

Even an inch of water can cause thousands of dollars in
damage, shocking those who find out flood losses are specifically excluded from
their homeowners and personal umbrella policies.

Flood insurance provides the protection you need to cover
losses after a flood ravages your property. The cost of premiums vary based on
the amount of coverage you need, what’s covered and your property’s flood risk.

New flood insurance policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so don’t delay in protecting one of your most valuable assets—your home. Contact THZ Insurance today for more information on flood insurance.